Ledley Reveals Post-Match Disappointment

6 March 2016

Harriet Edkins

Joe Ledley seemed to be speaking on behalf of the team when interviewed after Palace’s latest defeat. ‘Not good enough’, and ‘absolutely devastated’ were the midfielder’s observations after the Eagles let the lead slip, and failed to take anything from a game they had been winning, and with a man advantage.

“In the first half we did some good moves and then second half, 1-0 up and playing against 10 men it’s not good enough, we all know that. The players we’ve got here are high quality players and we should be putting in better performances and seeing games out.”

Liverpool’s 96th minute winner came in controversial fashion after Damien Delaney was judged to have brought down Christian Benteke in the box, and Ledley sympathises with his teammate for what looked to be a very harsh decision.

“Decisions like that cost us the game, he hasn’t touched him. I don’t think it’s a penalty, I quickly saw it and I think he’s (Benteke) gone down softly. Damien isn’t happy, he says it was clearly not a penalty and he’s an honest lad.”

Palace seemed to get nervy after the visitors equaliser, but the Welsh midfielder wasn’t going to place the blame on the keeper – instead reflecting on a collective performance that needed to be better given the circumstances.

“Liverpool going down to 10 men did us no favours, they put us under pressure on the ball and we needed to do better at keeping it. We need to do better as individuals, it happened the other day against Sunderland and we need to start winning games.”

Ledley believes the team’s luck will change but admits the result is hard to take given his side’s dominance in the first half, and the unlucky decision in the second.

“We’re gutted, to get in a position like that and we’re pretty good at seeing out results here. But it just didn’t happen for us this time and we’re absolutely devastated. We need a bit of luck and stay together and stay strong, and hopefully get through this period and start winning games.”